"However, learning different techniques to the extent that they all merge into a homogenous blob"
The reason this happens is that fighting is fighting and that is what it looks like, if you are going to limit yourself to moving in a stylised manner then you are limiting yourself and your options. You cannot fight in a stylised pattern when your opponent is coming in at you hell bent on killing you - NHB proves this time and time again.
The art is in the performance, not in forms or fancy techniques.